The fact that 4000 years of human history passed before the first coming does not alter the truth of the Old Testament. Rather it confirms that when the Lord speaks, humanity may know that the fulfillment of His word is as certain as history transpired. The problem is the lack of faith and the consequent dim understanding that has plagued the race since Adam's rebellion. This disbelief of God's promises ultimately provides the reason for the delay of the second coming, and not some pending predetermined date in a Calvinistic setting.
The major prophecies dealing with final events have largely been fulfilled. We have reached the time in history when events are of little significance compared with the issues pending behind them. Christ defined the major issue when He declared that "because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold," which of necessity must be a problem unique to God's people because the world has never professed any love for the Lord (Matt. 24:12).
When Daniel recorded the 2300-day prophecy it would have been a serious discouragement in his time if it had been fully understood by God's people. As it was, "Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days" and he was "astonished at the vision, but none understood it" (Dan. 8:27).
That which was not understood in Daniel's day has come to be a basic truth of Seventh-day Adventists. His prophecy sets forth a time, which when expired, would usher in an event unique in all history. The question before the church today is whether we believe what he said and if so are we willing to face the issue.
His prophecy calls for a time when type meets antitype; when 4000 years of symbols in the tabernacle services and in heaven itself meet the culmination of the plan of salvation as sin is blotted out of the sanctuary and out of the human heart. In this agenda, after the year 1844, a new work is to be accomplished comparable to the ceremonial day-of-atonement in Old Testament times. No day was of greater significance to ancient Israel and in the light of Daniel's prophecy no day will be of more importance to the remnant church. In this scenario, the second coming could not take place until the 2300 "days" (years) were finished.
But at any time soon after 1844, when His people have permitted Him to prepare them, Christ could have returned.